Box Score Azusa, CA - There are moments in every season where teams must either believe in themselves and the work they have put in, or succumb to the doubts and the pressure of a relentless opponent. This afternoon the Eagles of Concordia-Irvine came face to face with that moment, stared down their demons, dug themselves out of a 0-2 hole, and stole away a knock-down, drag-out five-set match at the Felix Event Center on the campus of Azusa Pacific University.
Despite almost doubling-up the Cougars in total kills (16-9), the Eagles made life hard on themselves in the first set with a total of 14 unforced errors. In contrast, Azusa came out with an energy and efficiency that, time and time again, stymied the visiting Eagles' attempts to find a rhythm, eventually building a 16-9 lead. Two separate 3-point runs gave Concordia life, pulling them within two at 19-21, but a combination of CUI miscues and APU kills closed the set in favor of the Cougars 20-25.
A six-point run to open up a 14-8 lead seemed to indicate a shift in momentum for the Eagles in set two but Azusa would mount a comeback with two separate four point runs to retake the lead at 19-18. CUI (.111%) and APU (.104%) both struggled on the attack but the Cougars outscored the Concordia 6-3 down the stretch to take the set and a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.
Concordia had only been in one 5-set match this season (a 3-2 win over UCSD after being down 0-2) and it became clear early on in set three that they were determined to recreate that result. The Eagles jumped out to a 7-1 lead with six kills from four different players then continued to unleash an offensive barrage the Cougars could not withstand. CUI would hold APU at bay with a season-high 19 kills in the set, winning 25-21.
A see-saw battle ensued in a fourth set that included 19 ties, the last coming at 22-22. Both teams played well but, despite being outhit (.433 to .343), Concordia continued to pile up a big kill count (18 in the set), with
Rachel Flynn and
Hannah Andrews closing out the frame with three consecutive finishing swings.
Concordia would stay on the attack in the final set, opening up a 5-1 lead with four kills by three different players. But they would have to withstand another comeback by the Cougars that would shrink the lead to one at 12-11 and again at 13-12. The Eagles would not be denied though as a signature block by
Amber Rose and
Hannah Andrews put APU on the brink, and Freshman
Cindy Tran provided the final kill to seal the set, and the match, 15-12.
Tran (14 kills), Flynn (21 kills) and
Ellie Ladensack (17 kills) would lead the Eagle offense and Flynn added 17 digs to complete her double-double. Tran (7) and Rose (8) led the team in blocks while
Taylor Dennison (match high 23 digs), and
Madeline Deters (12 digs), would join Flynn in setting the tone defensively.
Concordia moves to 15-1 overall, and 6-1 in the PacWest on the season. Next up for the Eagles will be rare back-to-back home matches against Notre Dame de Namur (Thursday, October 6th at 7pm) and Cal Baptist (Saturday, October 8th at 5pm).
October 6th has been designated as CUI's "Dig Pink" night and will include a number of opportunities to donate toward the fight against Breast Cancer.
